Carabao adds two years to its EFL League Cup title sponsorship
May 31 – The English Football League has extended its deal with the Carabao energy drink brand for a further two years.
Author: Paul Nicholson
UEFA pick France’s le Graet to fill FIFA Council slot left vacant by Grindel
May 30 – With FIFA’s ruling Council meeting in Paris on Monday, UEFA have been quick to bring their representation on the decision-making body up to its full quota of eight by electing veteran Frenchman Noel le Graet to replace the disgraced Reinhard Grindel.
More fizzle than sizzle as Chelsea dump Arsenal in Baku
By Samindra Kunti in Baku, Azerbaijan
May 30 – Chelsea demolished London rivals Arsenal to win the Europa League 4-1 after a soporific first-half and a 23-minute second-half onslaught that left Arsenal reeling and reflecting on a failed season. The North Londoners will miss out on Champions League football for a fourth consecutive season.
Ahmad faithful gather to protect CAF president against corruption and harassment charges
By Andrew Warshaw
May 30 – Supporters of African football chief Ahmad Ahmad are rallying around their under-fire president ahead of next week’s Confederation of African Football regional summit in Paris and the full FIFA Congress the following day.
Pacific pariah: FIFA bans former OFC boss Nicholas for eight years
By Andrew Warshaw
May 30 – Yet another high-profile former FIFA bigwig has been thrown out of the game, making a mockery of the suggestion that corruption is over among those who have served football’s world governing body.
Nigerian authorities chase Pinnick over alleged ‘disappearance’ of $8.4m of FIFA cash
May 30 – Just days before he takes his place among the great and the good (and not so good) of African football – if he turns up, that is – Nigerian FA chief Amaju Pinnick, a strong ally of FIFA president Gianni Infantino and a constant figure of controversy, has been ordered to appear in court on July 1 along with four colleagues to answer charges of alleged misappropriation of funds.
Swiss clubs join rejection of ECA’s ‘unacceptable’ plan for Europe
May 30 – Switzerland’s 20 first and second division clubs have unanimously turned their backs on much-publicised plans to overhaul the Champions League as fears over a split between leagues and clubs intensifies.
Cairo terrorist attacks prompt CAF to set up a security committee for AFCON 2019
May 30 – Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Ahmad says a special committee has been set up to deal with security issues at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt next month.
Premier League’s €5.6bn leads a growing €28.4bn Euro market as Bundesliga overtakes LaLiga
By Paul Nicholson
May 30 – The European football business has never had it so good. Latest data from Deloittes puts the overall market value at a record €28.4 billion, driven primarily by a 6% rise in revenues across the increasingly dominant Big 5 European leagues and their ‘super’ clubs to €15.6 billion.
Neymar Snr and Fabio Capello to headline at Edinburgh Sports Conference
May 30 – The line-up for the Edinburgh Sports Conference, September 5-6 – titled ‘The Future of Football Transfers and Players’ Agents’ – will have Neymar Snr as one of its keynote attractions.
Man City toasts Chinese Baijiu brand JNC as new global partner
May 30 – Manchester City have announced a global partnership with Chinese liquor brand JNC which becomes the Club’s Official Baijiu Partner.
All quiet on the Baku front as Arsenal and Chelsea fans gently filter into town
By Samindra Kunit in Baku, Azerbaijan
May 29 – At last the long journey and wait have come to an end. Tonight a London derby in Baku will decide the winner of the 2019 Europa League in a final that will be remembered by all involved for all the right or wrong reasons.
Madrid security tightens as Liverpool and Spurs fans set to pour into Spanish capital
May 29 – Madrid authorities are launching a massive security operation ahead of Saturday’s all-English Champions League final as thousands of Liverpool and Tottenham fans converge on the Spanish capital.
Sarri storms out of training as Baku tensions and speculation on his Chelsea future intensify
May 29 – Chelsea’s preparations for the first of this week’s two all-English European finals have been overshadowed by reports that manager Maurizio Sarri appeared to storm out of a pre-match training session in Baku.
Former Spanish hero Raul Bravo suspected as leader of Spanish match-fixing ring
May 29 – Spanish reports claim Real Madrid’s former international defender Raul Bravo is the suspected ringleader of a damaging match-fixing operation that hit the headlines this week and has rocked Spanish football.